Companion Planting With Flowers

Flowering Plants that Helps each other

Spring Flowers

The use of flowering plants in our gardens and landscapes can give that WOW, it’s so amazing how plants which produce flowers gives not only a colorful tropical look but and appearance of a garden oasis which is so peaceful and inviting.

I remembered a few years ago working on a garden project which really needed lots of colors, this area was a high traffic area the contractors who did the job installed lots of plants where only a few gave color but the majority of those plants did not produce flowers.

This area was an eyesore and really needed some sprucing up so both my team and I were given the responsibility to give this area a makeover and what a makeover, this garden area was totally transformed into a work of art very pleasing to the eye.

This shows the importance of adding flowering plants, but there is a method that can be used that will really benefit your garden not only by adding flowers for color coordination but plants that will give you the best of both worlds which is known as a companion Planting.

Plants Helping Plants

What is companion planting and how can we use this method in helping our garden plants?

Companion planting is a group of different plant species that will benefit each other.

The benefits of companion planting

Supports biological control ( the control of garden insect pests )

Improving soil fertility

Aesthetics

Contributes with pollination

Attracts beneficial insects

Acts as a shelter

Keeps weeds down

Companion Planting With Flowers

Supports biological control

1. There are many plants that attract beneficial insects, these beneficial insects will feed on garden insect pests ( the bad bugs ).

Improves garden soil fertility

2. This process is done by certain species of plants such as members of the legume family which draws nitrogen from the atmosphere and adds it to the ground around plants.

Aesthetics

3. The different shapes and sizes along with various colors will enhance the overall appearance of your garden and landscape areas.

Contributes with pollination

4. Certain garden plants attract pollinators such as bees.

Attracts beneficial insects

5. As discuss earlier there are certain plant species that will attract beneficial insects.

Acts as a shelter

6. Because of their hight and size will protect or shade the smaller plants which may be variable to the scorching heat.

Keeps weeds down

7. There are many garden plants that are used to suppress weeds by blocking the sunlight from reaching them which they need.

Given this list, it is quite clear that companion planting is a garden method that will benefit both us and our garden plants which is a win-win.

Bougainvillea Flowers

Flowering plants that will attract beneficial insects

1. Hisbiscus is a beautiful tropical plant that comes in so many colors, besides its flower bloom, hibiscusattracts the ladybug a beneficial insect that feeds on mealybugs. Other plants that attract ladybugs are tansy, butterfly weeds, dandelion and basket of gold.

2. Marigolds in your garden is like having a gold mine, marigolds will not only attract beneficial insects but butterflies. The roots of marigolds are also known to be toxic and will work against root-knot nematodes. Root-knot nematodes are worm-like microscopic organisms that inhabit the soil causing much harm to plant life.

3. Coneflowers or the echinacea plant will not only attract butterflies but beneficial insects that will feed on garden insect pests.

4. The lacewings which are also beneficial feed on a host of garden insect pests including aphids some plant that attracts the lacewings are Tanys, prairie sunflower, cosmos,white sensation, and purple poppy mallow.

5. Including plants such as marigold, cosmos, yarrow, and angelica will attract the praying mantis along with other beneficial insects.

Additional information

Soil Type

1. When grouping plants together ensure that they have the seem soil requirements what you don’t want is to install garden plants together that have different soil requirements.

What you don’t want is to install and agave in a plant bed which does well in sandy soils with a plant like the peace lily which needs a soil that retains moisture so know your soil type for your plants and install accordingly.

Watering Needs

2. Know your plants watering needs what you don’t want is to group garden plants together which has different water needs.

Grouping together a drought-tolerant plant-like agave and the peace lily which is a high maintenance plant, spells disaster while one requires little water the other water requirements is much more which means one plant will suffer at the expense of the other so again it is knowing the watering needs of your plants and group them together so plants that don’t require much water will be grouped together in the same bed.

Soil PH

3. The soil phplays an important part in a plant’s life, nutrient availability is depended on the soil ph. It is, therefore, best to get a soil ph test done first to make the needed adjustment for your plants and also install plants that have similar ph requirements.

Fertilizers

4. Fertilizers are so important in the life of a plant, these nutrients are the building blocks which will keep your garden plants growing healthy and strong if you’re not using organics such as cow, chicken, horse manure but rather using made-made (synthetics) fertilizers ensure that you read and follow the manufacture’s label.

Properly applying fertilizers

5. When applying fertilizers apply at the soil or ground level and give plants the right amount of water to keep growing healthy.

Garden insect pests

Vegetables And Herbs

6. Garden insect pests can cause serve damage to plant life, there are many methods of dealing with them, whether mechanically, biologically or with the use of chemicals. Each method may depend on the severity of the infestation. That’s why it is good to do regular inspections of your garden plants identifying the garden pests and choosing which method works best for you. For more on garden, insect pests control refer to the category section of this website.

A clean garden

7. Having a garden that is free of debris is so important because and unkept garden is so unattractive and will decrease a property’s value. Ensure that your garden beds are clean, all leaves that have fallen should be removed.

If you have a compost bin then leaves can go in this area but if there are diseased leaves or leaves which have insects then properly dispose of them.

Pruning

8. Pruning helps garden plants to become more fuller with flower bloom, also pruning helps plants to maintain its natural form. All disease plant parts should be pruned and properly disposed of. Sterilize your pruner and other garden tools to avoid the spread of disease.

Deadheading

9. Deadheading is the removal of spent or faded flowers, the reason why deadheading is important for your flowering plants is to stop them from focusing their energy into seed setting but rather flower production.

Disease Control

10. A big problem that affects many garden plants is plant disease, one of the main factors that encourage plants disease is overwatering, prolong moisture and using garden tools which are infected. For more on plant disease, signs to look for and their control refer to the category section of this website.

Weed Control

11. Weeds compete with garden plants for water, sunlight and nutrients, therefore, it is best to keep your garden free of weeds. Weeds also harbor garden insect best and encourage disease again these are other reasons to stay on top of weeds. For more on weed control refer to the category section of this website.

The final word

The final word on planting with flowering plant where they compliment each other is so neat, this method is being used on a wider scale by so many as they see the benefits of using garden plants that can help each other so if you’re interested in this gardening method then I urge you to go for it and join the many who are having much success with companion planting with flowers.